WI cricket should face tough sanctions, says Indian Board secretary

DHARAMSALA, India, , CMC – West Indies cricket could face a severe fall-out from the decision by the one-day squad to abandon their five-match tour of India.

The one-day squad quit the tour on Friday following the fourth One-Day International here, after failing to resolve an ongoing pay dispute with their union, the West Indies Players Association.

There was a fifth ODI remaining in Kolkata on Monday, a Twenty20 International two days later in Cuttack and a Test series beginning October 30th.

Joint Secretary of the powerful Indian Cricket Board (BCCI), Anurag Thakur said West Indies should face sanctions for their actions.

“First, the BCCI should file a complaint with the ICC about the behaviour of players and the West Indies board. Second, in order to have successful future tours, BCCI should not play with the Windies,” Thakir said.

“Third, they should also file a claim for compensation with the WICB – the amount of revenue they are going to lose. And fourth, not only the BCCI, but also the local associations, that have spent truckloads of money to get everything in place only to have one of the teams pull out, should take necessary actions.”

He added: “I think such a move is required so that in future no cricket players or board should indulge in such kind of behaviour that goes against the game of cricket.”

Thakur said he was forced to intervene on Friday after discovering that West Indies players were mulling over pulling out of the fourth ODI.

The BCCI official, president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association which hosted the fourth ODI, said he had succeeded in convincing the players to take the field.

But while sympathizing with the Windies players, Thakur said they could have handled the situation better.

“I do sympathise with the West Indies cricketers but this is no way to deal with a matter or take a decision,” Thakur stressed.

“They could have made up their mind before coming to India – they may have some valid reasons but at the same time this is not the way to behave. They could have at least finished the series before coming to such a hurried conclusion.”

In a formal statement, the BCCI said it was “shocked and surprised” and also “extremely disappointed” at the decision to abandon the tour.

The host board said the move gave “little thought to the future of the game” and it would go to every length to protect its interests.

Thakur said in addition to the BCCI recouping losses from the West Indies Cricket Board, it should also consider cutting ties.

“As far as the HPCA is concerned, we persuaded them (West Indies) and they played the game. So it is now up to the BCCI to deal with the matter in whatever way they want. As its joint secretary and a cricket lover, I think such an attitude is not good for the game of cricket,” Thakur stressed.

“I think the BCCI should consider isolating the West Indies. If the board has suffered financial loss, if it has suffered in terms of cricket, interims of broadcasting and other areas, then why not. You need to set an example. The only good think in all this is that they (WICB) have not demanded a single penny from us.”